The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-05-25

of freight, to wit, the remains of hui
man being.
Carefully placing this box in a remote
corner of the room, near other boxes
awaiting transportation, the driver and
his man returned to their wagon, while
the two strangers approached the desk to
enter their ghastly freight They wore
slouched hats and were very wet They
produced death certificate of one John
Slate, who had died at a farmhouse sew
eral miles away, of a non-contagious com
plant, and was to be shipped to friends
down the road. This was ALL There
was nothing singular about it, and yet,
when the door closed upon the strangers
and l was again alone, or worse than
alone, a feeling of awe came over me.
Clearly the storm had somewhat unstrung
me.
Only one hour till the train was due,
after which 1 could turn in for the
night
A louder peal of thunder shook the
house, and fercer flashed the lightning.
Minute after minute went by, and each
seemed an age. The roar and din of the
elements only deepened the gloom inside,
where the uncertain kerosene darkened
the shadows
Suddenly, to my overstrained nerves,
the ceaseless clicking of the wires seemed
to say: "Watch the box Watch the
box! Watch the boxn AS particular
strain of melody will at times repeat itself
in the mind, and obstinately keep time
to every movement, till one is well nigh
distracted, so this refrain began to en-
chain every sense: "Watch the box
Watch the boxl Watch the boxw Ti.N
now my depressed spirits were due only
to the solitude and the storm No sus-
picion of evil or danger had tormented
me.
Peering more closely into the dingy
corner saw only the ordinary pine box,
with what seemed to be a square paper,
or placard, on the side facing me. Prob
ably the address, bungingly adjusted on
the side instead of the top, or else stain
of mud from the late rough ride. At all
events, was not curious enough to ap-
proach more nearly the ghostly visitant.
Then minutes had crept by, when
mufflcd noise in the dark corner distinct
ly sounded above the pelting rain drops,
while, as if to mock at my quickened
fears, the wires continued their monot-
onous warning: "Watch the box Watch
the box Watch the box" | did watch
the box, and as by inspiration grasped
the situation. There was indeed man
in the box, but not dead one. A living
man, who had boldly lent himself to a
plot to rob or murder me, perhaps both.
l remembered the straggler who had
20
hours before He had doubtless followed
Colonel Holloway and witnessed the
money transaction. Quick and fast flew
my thoughts in the startled endeavor to
grasp some plan of action. Single
handed | was no match for any man, hav-
ing recently recovered from an attack of
malarial fever. This one in the box Gf
indeed there were oneJ must mean to Sc
cure his prize before the train. was due,
and escape the consequences. He must
have accomplices, and these were doubt
less on watch, waiting either to give or
receive a signal. At least it was not
probable that he would undertake the
Job alone, and the fact that he had con-
federates had already appeared.
Perhaps the sight of my pistols had de-
layed the attack. Perhaps some part of
their plan had miscarried and caused de-
lay. At all events l must be cool. l
fancied l saw his eyes through the dark
patch on the box. l was almost sure he
was slowly lifting the lid. There was no
help near, and much might be done in
the time still to elapse before the train
was due.
Quietly walking to the battery, l
feigned to take message. In reality l
sent one to the conductor of the On-com-
ing express, as the only device whereby
/ could secure assistance, and this would
doubtless be too late. Yet it was all that
l could do Just now.
With every sense on the alert, l arose
to secrete my keys if possible, when the
door burst open, and Frank Morris, my
future brother-in-law, rushed. in, followed
by huge dog that was Ellen's special pet
and attendant.
"Confound youw said Frank, splutter-
ing about, and shaking himself as vigor-
ously as the dog. "pll be blowed if
ever go on such another fools errand as
this"
''Why, you are pretty well 'blowed
now, | said, with a poor attempt to be
funny, but immensely relieved. II never
was so glad 70 see anybody in my lifew
and | meant it.
"There it is, Z" he said "make much of
it," as he cleverly tipped a little white
missive over to me. ''Such billing and
cooling l never want to sec again. Reg
ular spoons, by JOye! Can't go to sleep
till she knows you haven't been melted,
or washed away, or something. And
Cato must come along to see that her pre-
cious brother doesn't get lost. Ughl
Lie down, over there, old felloww Then
to me he said; "Here, help me out of
this wet thing"
But / was engrossed, just then, and
Kidding himself of the offending garment,
the road-shouldered young athlete
strobe about in mock impatience.
'Heavens! what night" he ex
claimed. "What time does your train
pass? Ten? Just three minutes. guess
in stay; but wen have that young dam
sci floating down here if she doesn't hear
pretty soon. Hello, Cato! What's the
matter2" as the dog gave a low growl.